KIRKUK, Iraq, MARCH 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Iraqi Catholics
are taking up a collection for the reconstruction of the destroyed
Samarra mosque, revealed Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk.

The gesture of solidarity comes in the wake of the Jan. 29
attacks against two churches in Kirkuk, which claimed the lives
of a 13-year-old acolyte, Fadi Raad Elias, and other Catholics.
Those attacks were linked to the Western publication of cartoons
depicting Mohammed.

"We are not facing civil war; it would be the end of
Iraq and no one wants this," said Archbishop Sako.

"Iraqis are aware that Saddam Hussein abused them,"
the Chaldean archbishop added. "In particular, his regime
killed many Shiites and these people are now seeking vengeance
for the injustices suffered up to a few years ago."

Archbishop Sako told the Italian bishops' SIR news service
that another goal of Shiite violence, since the attack on the
Shiite mosque in Samarra, "is to obtain by force more posts
in the government."

The archbishop said he believes that "it is necessary
to be at the side of our faithful to give them all possible support.
I try to encourage them so that they will not be discouraged.
If someone wants us to abandon the country, we will show that
we are not afraid, that we are strong and that we are profoundly
tied to our country."

According to the prelate, "Religion has nothing to do
with the killings" of the last few days.

He said that he has visited "the Muslim leaders to express
to them my total solidarity over the destruction of the mosque
of Samarra."

"I have confirmed once again that we Christians repudiate
the attacks against the people of Islam, as we consider abominable
every crime against any place of worship," Archbishop Sako
said. "In our community we are collecting money which we
will contribute toward the mosque's reconstruction."